Hermon High School - Microphone Yearbook (Hermon, ME)

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16 The MICROPHONE Uncle Sam must change his grip on the Russian bear. As it stands now Sam has his hands on the bear’s forefeet. Both are push- ing and calling each other names. This grip will some day be changed to a death grip about the throat. The first to ob tain this new grip will hold an advantage over the other. To obtain this advantage we must realize that this is a fight of many bouts to determine who best provides for the needs of mankind. Assistant Editor HERMON HIGH SCHOOL FIRE DEPARTMENT The first steps in the modernization of the Hermon fire fighting equipment were made with the completion of the formation of the Hermon Fire Department in 1949, under the direction of Charles Smith, Jr., agricultural instructor. The agriculture students did a considerable amount of work on the truck. The high school boys were organized into squads with Richard Byers, Leroy Duplisea, Richard Mason, Alden Smith, and Charles Thayer as squad leaders. These leaders were given complete responsibility of their men. All members of the squads are expected to maintain the same scholastic requirements as for basketball or other sports. Squad leaders, Mr. Dwyer, and Mr. Smith are the only ones who answer the special fire phone. Upon recommendation of leaders, men will be suspended from their squad. The leaders are responsible for arranging the transportation of their men, and anyone may be attached to another squad as a driver. Members will be expected to attend a rea- sonable number of meetings of the fire de- partment’s training school on the fourth Thursday of every month. The school fire department has answered four calls, all of which have been chimney fires. Assistant Editor

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The MICROPHONE 15 THREE PLANES T. Valentine Parker gives us this in- spirational thought: “The mountains, tall and beautiful, make us think of high things —of God, beauty and worthy living.” How true this is! To reach a high standard we must look up and meditate upon high things, but to maintain the upper level we must keep looking up. In a chiropractor’s office I once saw a notice that ran something like this: “When you are feeling low both physically and men- tally, lift your chin a few inches higher, throw back your shoulders and quicken your step.” When one walks with his head down and his eyes centered on the dust beneath his feet, he has only himself for subject matter about which to think. He ponders over how cruel fate has been to him and how luck has completely failed him. He begins to'enumer- ate the disagreeable things that have hap- pened and ends up feeling the most miser- able and unfortunate creature that exists. This is the first plane. But how different is the person who lifts his eyes to that which is about him. He sees the active vitality and vigorous life that sur- rounds him. He sees the busy, comfortable, everyday life so full of common-place hap- penings which make life worth living. He is glad to be alive and a part of this busy world. Perhaps he may see one who is not as well off as himself. He may even pitv or sympathize with this one, and he realizes that there are those to whom fate has been more bitter, to whom fortune has been a little less kind. These who are content with their present environment are many and be- long to the second plane. But there is yet another! There are those who look above the everyday life, those who gaze up at the mountains and the infinite heavens. Somehow when one sees the end- less blue above or the innumerable stars, he is struck by an overwhelming sense of the greatness of this universe in which he lives. These are the ones who answer the challenge of the unknown, the call of the undiscovered. From their ranks geniuses emerge and great men break forth. It is these who count it a worthy task to lift a fellowman from the dust and desolation of despair to the beauty and majesty of the mountain tops, which reflect a higher and holier vision. Assistant Editor THE COMMUNIST The Communist is probably the best trained revolutionist that has ever existed. He is immune to any race, sex, or national- istic prejudice. He is an internationalist in every sense of the word. To the Communist, the cause is the fore- most thing. Every act of villainy is forgiven because it is for the cause. Even the capture and murder of a member of your family is all right because it is for the cause. The Communist will tolerate no difference of opinion from his own. He holds no moral or religious beliefs but the cause. The Communist in Russia is in a position of command. He need never worry about the lack of a job. Because he is trusted, he is promoted over the heads of others. Even the Communist cannot possess material wealth. His every move is watched by others, even as he is watching someone else. If he makes a wrong move, he is sentenced to death. Many people in Russia remain without entering the Communist party rather than enjoy the privileges and assume the obliga- tions that are attached. It is my belief that the struggle between the Communist and the Capitalist peoples will last for many years. The winner of the struggle will be the one that best provides for the needs of man. The United States to- day is fighting like an untrained boxer— leading a fast offensive, but saving no re- serve strength for the last bout. Are we gaining by spending one million dollars on a trial while the Communists spend one-fifth as much? Are we better pro- viding for the needs of man by sending Com- munist countries arms and supplies? Can we provide for the needs of man more fully than they are provided for at the present time in the United States? Trials and dec- lamations against the Communists should not be viewed as improving the situation. They are of such minor importance.

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Tin MICROPHONE 17 News While It Is News SCHOOL CALENDAR SICK ROOM Sept. 12 Sept. 14 Sept. 19 Sept. 30 Oct. 27-28 Nov. 1 Nov. 3-4 Nov. 7-12 Nov. 8 Nov. 10 School Began Senior Flay Tryouts Magazine Contest Began Freshman Reception Teachers’ Convention Senior Pictures Taken Senior Play American Education Week League Spelling Contest Magazine Party Nov. 11 No School (Armistice Day) Nov. 18 Round Robin at Newport Nov. 22 First game of the season at Clinton Nov. 24-25 Thanksgiving Vacation Dec. 16 Fall Term Closed Dec. 28 Winter Term Opened Feb. 3 Semi-Finals of Junior Exhibition Feb. 9 Basketball Pictures for Newspaper Feb. 10 Group Pictures Taken Feb. 16-17 Central Maine Tournament Feb. 22 Eastern Class M. Basket- ball Tournament Feb. 22 Sweater Dance Feb. 23-27 Winter Vacation Feb. 27 Basketball and Cheer- leaders Banquet March 13 Town Meeting March 31 Central League One-Act Play Contest April 6 Junior Exhibition April 12 League Speaking Contest April 14 State District Play Contest April 14-24 Vacation April 24 Spear Speaking Contest May 30 No School (Memorial Day) June 4 Baccalaureate Services June 5 Senior Banquet June 8 Graduation Once again the Juniors undertook a project by which the whole school would benefit. They knew that many times there had been instances when a sick room and medical facilities could have been used last year. Mrs. Myers, class advisor, purchased apples through Mr. Myers of the University of Maine. The apples were sold, and the profit was used to buy a cot, blankets, and new sup- plies for the first aid kit. The sick room is located in the room close to Supt. McGraw’s office. The class of 1951 tries to do one thing each year to benefit its school. John Simpson ’51 GYM IMPROVEMENTS This year our high school has been ex- tremely fortunate in having so many im- provements in the gymnasium. Early in the fall, our successful magazine campaign en- abled us to buy material to make curtains to cover the back and sides of the stage. To the ladies of the sewing circle of the Order of the Eastern Star go our sincere thanks for contributing their time and effort in making these curtains. The lighting system was re- paired, footlights added, and two new spot- lights were purchased. The gym ceiling was repaired and painted, and new plywood strips were put around the lower half of the wall. Two new baskets and backboards were also added. We are indeed proud of our gym. Although there is still a lot of work to be done, we are truly grateful for these much-needed im- provements.